Donna Berkner

Donna Berkner, age 72, of Stockholm, SD, passed away on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at her home.

Memorial services will be held on Monday, August 12, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Tabor Lutheran Church in Strandburg, SD. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Vicar Emelia Enquist will officiate the service and all are invited for a time of food and fellowship in the church dining room.

Donna Pearl (Lundquist) Berkner was born on November 1, 1951, in Milbank, SD, to Kern and Inez (Gill) Lundquist. She was raised on the family farm near Stockholm, attended Country School District #3 and later graduated from Milbank High School with the Class of 1969. After completing her education at Watertown Business University in 1970, she returned to the family farm.

On February 19, 1972, Donna was united in marriage with David Berkner at Tabor Lutheran Church in Strandburg, SD. Together, they were blessed with two children: Dan and Jaime.

Always a hard worker, Donna worked at Watertown Monument Works before her marriage to David. She worked for Elshere Spray Service for four summers and also worked at United Hardware for 10 years. Donna found most fulfillment as a homemaker and caring for her family.

Throughout her life, Donna remained dedicated to her community and her loved ones. She was a lifelong member of Tabor Lutheran Church in Strandburg where she shared her faith as a Sunday School Teacher. She was a member of Home Extension Women’s Club and she helped start the Mothers Against Drunk Driving program in the schools. Donna loved to attend area community events, especially the South Shore Hoedown.

Donna’s passion for gardening, supporting her children in sports and 4-H Club activities, and her love for birds and artistic endeavors defined her character. She was a talented artist, finding joy in creating Swedish Dala Horse signs, and she deeply appreciated the beauty of nature, often tending her garden and feeding the birds.

Donna’s memory will be cherished by her family and friends. She enjoyed learning about the Berkner family genealogy and relished spending time with her grandchildren. She was always attentive and caring to those around her, including her beloved pets and occasionally caring for baby livestock that needed a little extra care. Donna always put her family first and loved making them treats. Her kids and grandchildren loved getting packages from her filled with her special cutout sugar cookies and they were always beautifully decorated. Most of all, Donna loved her grandchildren. She enjoyed hearing every update and cherished every moment spent with them. Around the 4th of July was a time very special to Donna as she got to gather with her family for the Gill Family picnic and spend time with her children and grandchildren every year.

Left to cherish Donna’s memory are her husband, David; son, Dan (Jennifer) Berkner of Amboy, MN; daughter, Jaime Borchert (Erick Harrison) of Sioux Falls, SD; five grandchildren: Tyler Berkner (Ashtin Cotter), Payton Berkner, Colten Berkner, Brayden Berkner, and Nathaniel Borchert; and four great-grandchildren: Emmie Cotter, Beckham Cotter, Carson Berkner, and Wren Berkner.

She was preceded in death by her parents.